Washington, D.C. (February 21, 2022) – The U.S. Department of State, in partnership with Cultural Vistas, is now accepting applications from emerging leaders across the Pacific to participate in the prestigious Professional Fellows Program (PFP).

The Professional Fellows Program Oceania (PFP Oceania) international exchange will include a four-week professional fellowship placement at a host organization located in the United States (U.S.), as well as supplemental programming and travel to Honolulu, Hawaii, and Washington, D.C. The exchange will include a closing Professional Fellows Congress in Washington, D.C. for participants to gather will other Professional Fellows from across the globe to discuss shared global challenges and solutions.

PFP Oceania is intended to build and reinforce professional connections between the Pacific Islands and the United States. PFP Oceania will focus on the theme of economic empowerment across the Pacific, exploring how systems can support innovation and sustainable economic development while participants build their capacities in growing regional entrepreneurship, business leadership, and workforce development. Applicants will be required to demonstrate how their current professional experiences align with that theme. The program will have two cohorts – the first exchange scheduled to take place September 22 – November 2, 2022, and the second exchange scheduled to take place April 27 – June 8, 2023. Applicants will be required to select which cohort exchange they wish to participate in when submitting their application.

At the conclusion of each exchange, program alumni will be eligible for seed funding to complete a follow-on activity within their home communities in advancement of their professional goals. Additionally, alumni will also have the opportunity to host an American Fellow for an 11-day reciprocal exchange in support of their follow-on activity. All participant program travel costs and accommodations will be covered by the program and coordinated by Cultural Vistas.

For more information, please visit the program website. For additional information, please contact Cultural Vistas at pfpoceania@culturalvistas.org and the U.S. Department of State at eca-press@state.gov.

 

All applications for Pacific Fellows applying to participate in the PFP Oceania program are due by 11:59PM ET on 7 APRIL 2022.

Click here to apply

The Professional Fellows Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs with funding provided by the U.S. Government and administered by Cultural Vistas.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Citizenship and residence in an eligible country: Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu;
• Must be between 25 – 40 years old at time of participation in exchange;
• Demonstrate written and oral proficiency in English;
• Must be currently employed with a minimum of 2 years work experience;
• Demonstrated interest in developing an individual project to be implemented within their home workplace or community;
• Ability to receive a J-1 Government Visitor Visa;
• Willing to participate in the full program, including travel to the U.S. for a six-week exchange and a commitment to implement follow-on activities upon returning home.

 

COVID-19 Program Contingencies:

PFP Oceania is scheduled to be implemented in-person in the United States. An in-person, U.S.-based exchange is contingent upon favorable travel conditions and participants’ ability to transit among ongoing travel restrictions. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 global health pandemic, PFP Oceania may be adjusted and offered as a hybrid or fully virtual program. In the event there are travel restrictions, or other factors which could adversely impact the health, safety and welfare of program participants, host organizations, and local communities, PFP Oceania may postpone or pivot the planned in-person U.S.-based exchange to virtual programming. PFP Oceania will follow available national and local public health guidance when making decisions related to proposed program activities.

About the Professional Fellows Program:

The Professional Fellows Program (PFP) is a two-way, global exchange program designed to promote mutual understanding, enhance leadership and professional skills, as well as build lasting, sustainable partnerships between mid-level emerging leaders from foreign countries and the United States. PFP participants are placed in intensive fellowships in non-profit organizations, private sector businesses, and government offices across the United States for an individually tailored professional development experience. They build a broad network with American and other program participant colleagues as they develop a deeper understanding of U.S. society. The PFP is a two-way exchange, with American participants who have hosted foreign fellows traveling overseas for participant-driven reciprocal programs.